Tour Overview

This tour starts in Constable Country, before exploring Suffolk's delightfully complex coastline along the Stour, Orwell and Deben estuaries. From Woodbridge you return west to visit the Suffolk Wool Towns, and a delightful rural circuit which explores the Stour and Colne valleys and the gently rolling hill country that surrounds them.

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Day 1 Itinerary

Start - Finish: Langham - Dedham

Min - Max Cycling Distance: 6 - 15 miles (10 - 24 km)

Min - Max Ascent: 100 - 300 feet (30 - 90 metres)

Min - Max Offroad: 10% - 20%

Route Overview

A short warm-up ride. North from Langham via small country lanes to the lip of Dedham Vale. Then a meander east along the Stour Valley into Dedham village.

Points of Interest en-route

Visit peaceful 12th C Langham Church nestled on a wooded ridge above Dedham Vale. The tower was a viewpoint used by John Constable for several of his paintings.

Route Overview

East along Dedham Vale to the Stour Estuary. North East onto the Shotley peninsula, skirting around the shores of Alton Water. Follow the ever narrowing finger of land eastwards out towards the very tip of the peninsula. Depending on choice of overnight accommodation, you can stay on the peaceful peninsula or take a short ferry trip over the water to the hustle & bustle of Old Harwich Port.

Points of Interest en-route

Watch the watersports on Alton Water, or have a go at kayaking or paddleboarding.

Pause a moment at Erwarton village. The impressive Hall was occasional childhood home to Anne Boleyn, and the church next door houses a small casket alleged to contain her heart, buried there at her request.

Overnight Stop: Shotley or Harwich

Recommended Accommodation Options

(Maytrees is our recommended choice for convenient access to pubs for an evening meal. Hill House Farm has fabulous estuary views, but is rather remote, requiring a 1 hour walk or a £20 taxi fare to reach a pub for an evening meal).

Dinner Suggestions

Things to See or Do

At Harwich, find a nice seat on the waterfront to watch the ships going in and out of Harwich & Felixstowe ports.

At Shotley, stroll down to the estuary and watch the birds coming in to roost in the evening.

Day 3 Itinerary

Start - Finish: Shotley or Harwich - Woodbridge

Min - Max Cycling Distance: 25 - 44 miles (40 - 70 km)

Min - Max Ascent: 700 - 1200 feet (210 - 370 metres)

Min - Max Offroad: 28% - 64%

Route Description

Foot ferry to Felixstowe's Landguard Fort. North east across the Felixstowe peninsula (via sea front or rural options) to the Deben estuary. Foot ferry to Bawdsey, birthplace of radar. Then north through sandy heathlands and forests towards Woodbridge, with an opportunity to visit Sutton Hoo en-route.

Points of Interest en-route

Marvel briefly at the gargantuan operations at Felixstowe Container Port (also known as the Giant Giraffe Farm...) before escaping quickly back to the countryside.

Things to See or Do

Day 4 Itinerary

Start - Finish: Woodbridge - Stoke by Nayland

Min - Max Cycling Distance: 29 - 46 miles (46 - 74 km)

Min - Max Ascent: 1000 - 1500 feet (300 - 460 metres)

Min - Max Offroad: 21% - 50%

Route Description

South from Woodbridge, to Waldringfield on the banks of the Deben river. Southwest to delightful Levington village overlooking the Orwell Estuary. West across the Orwell via the graceful sweep of the Orwell Bridge. Northwest via small country lanes to Hadleigh, approaching via a delightful old railway trail. Southwest across the Brett valley before a final climb up to Stoke by Nayland.

Points of Interest en-route

Enjoy the comings and goings at the thriving Waldringfield sailing club.

Day 5 Itinerary

Start - Finish: Stoke by Nayland - Cavendish

Min - Max Cycling Distance: 26 - 49 miles (42 - 78 km)

Min - Max Ascent: 1100 - 2000 feet (340 - 610 metres)

Min - Max Offroad: 19% - 37%

Route Overview

North through peaceful countryside dotted with picture-postcard villages including Polstead and Kersey. Northwest via some delightful leafy lanes to reach Lavenham, then southwest to Long Melford, and west to Cavendish.

Points of Interest en-route

Visit Kentwell Hall or Melford Hall in bustling Long Melford, one of several claimants to "longest village in England". If not the longest, it's certainly one of the most interesting, full of history, medieval architecture, unusual shops, traditional tea-rooms and pubs.

Dinner Suggestions

Things to See or Do

Day 6 Itinerary

Start - Finish: Cavendish - Earls Colne

Min - Max Cycling Distance: 26 - 53 miles (42 - 85 km)

Min - Max Ascent: 1000 - 1900 feet (300 - 580 metres)

Min - Max Offroad: 19% - 53%

Route Description

South across a high plateau to Gestingthorpe, southwest to Castle Hedingham above the Colne Valley. After crossing the River Colne, the route heads southwest across rich Essex farmlands to reach the delightful River Pant valley, which is then followed south-east to Bocking Churchstreet. The final leg today takes you north-east towards Earls Colne.

Dinner Suggestions

Things to See or Do

Enjoy some of the numerous leisure spa or sports facilities at the Country Club.

Enjoy a wander along Earl Colne's traditional old High Street (if visiting The Lion for dinner).

Day 7 Itinerary

Start - Finish: Earls Colne - Langham

Min - Max Cycling Distance: 0 - 44 miles (0 - 70 km)

Min - Max Ascent: 0 - 1600 feet (0 - 490 metres)

Min - Max Offroad: 0% - 41%

Route Description

East across a patchwork of rich farmlands and old forests, before descending to Chappel in the Colne valley. North over rolling farmland to the Stour valley, which is then followed east through picturesque Wormingford, Nayland and Stoke by Nayland, before turning south to return to Langham.

Points of Interest en-route

Pedal under the mighty arches of Chappel Viaduct, England's second largest brick built structure (after Battersea Power Station).